AN: This is the story of Remus Lupin and how he first became a werewolf, and learning to live with his condition and such. This is my first story so I hope you like it, please read and review, and advice is welcome.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own any of the characters in this story, they are all owned by J.K. Rowling, my hero.
Chapter One: Confrontation in Flourish and Blotts
Remus Lupin was always a very happy and content child. He lived with his parents in a small house near the outskirts of a country town with both his parents. His father had a successful job in the ministry of magic, working in Magical Law Enforcement, and his mother was writing a book for quick and simple household potions. Friends and neighbours were always saying how smart Remus was, how charming he was, how he was going to do so well at Hogwarts.
Naturally, Remus knew all about Hogwarts. Both his father, John, and mother, Matilda, had raised him expecting that letter. They no one in the Lupin household could wait for the day that an owl came tapping on the cottage window, bearing a letter with the Hogwarts crest of lion, griffin, badger and snake untied around the 'H'. Informing them of which books and supplies were needed, and that a ticket was enclosed for Platform 9 ¾, for a train that would depart on September the first. Remus could barely wait for the two long years to pass so he could attend Hogwarts himself and explore the castle and grounds that he had heard so much about. From the he was born, stories and descriptions of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had floated like enticing songs over the edge of his crib and into his dreams. Now, just after Remus's ninth birthday, it seemed like the last two years could not pass quick enough.
One not so very special day, the Lupin family travelled into London and took a trip to Diagon Alley. The little family spent the day shopping for various potion ingredients for Matilda, and purchasing some more robes and quills for John, and Remus was even promised a new book if he behaved.
After a day of competing with the hustling and bustling of the crowds, Lupin slipped into a half full Flourish and Blotts, and started browsing the shelves. John and Matilda followed their son through the door, looking around with interest. All of a sudden, the door leading to the back of the shop was flung open, causing all the shoppers to jump, some of them even dropping their various parcels or books they were examining.
"I don't ruddy care! Who do you think you are, storming into my store and threatening me! Get out! Out, you–you- mongrel!" the manager pointed a short stubby finger at the door, and a dirty looking man slinked past him into the shop.
"I need a favour, you can help me," the dirty looking man said in a harsh voice. "It would have been so simply just to help me… oh well, I'm sure you know the consequences…" he leered at the manager and picked his teeth with a dirty yellow fingernail. This statement made the manager turn a pale shade of green, which quickly progressed to white. His whole body trembled; he appeared to have trouble keeping his stretched arm steady, which was still pointing at the door.
"Threaten my family, my children!" he said in a gruff voice, trying hard to remain firm and not panic. "I already told you, I don't know, and I wouldn't tell you if I did! You are scum! Filthy piece of shit! You are lower then a spec of dirt! Leave my shop this instant!"
Quick as a flash, the dirty looking man lashed out at the man, scratching at his face and neck. He scrambled to find his wand in the long tangle of robes he was wearing. The manager was completely focused on defending himself, seeming to forget he was even capable of magic or owned a wand, and was pushed backwards into a book display, sending loose pages flying. The manager backed himself into the wall, and finally tried to procure his own wand from his robes. The dirty looking man, having untangled himself, quickly disarmed him.
"It would have been so much easier if you had helped," he jeered, a nasty smirk spreading across his face. "What a loss for your poor muggle wife and children. I guess I must go and console them? Such a tasty snack…" he raised his wand but before he could mutter a single incantation, he was forced backwards into the counter with a loud bang and a flash of light, dust and timidly fluttering pages were sent flying into the air, engulfing the shoppers who had been watching this exchange intently (and openly) in a cloud of print and debris. When everything had settled, the occupants turned to see John Lupin standing with his wand raised and a slightly shocked look on his face.
Quickly taking in the situation, Remus hurried to his father while Matilda went to the aid of the manager. Slowly, the dirty man extracted himself from the rubble. He looked around the store wildly, causing some of the shoppers to shrink back into the shadows, hoping not to be noticed by this man who was clearly mad. His eyes darted this way and that, until they rested on John, wand still raised and Remus at his side.
"You!" he snarled, crossing the floor in half a dozen quick, long strides. "Well, well, if it isn't my old friend, John Lupin. Haven't seen you since my trial, Lupin, we really much make more of an effort to keep in touch. Ah, and this must be little Remus Lupin," he sneered. Remus looked into those dark eyes, at that horribly lined face and grey hair, those sharp teeth. He inhaled the stench of the man's breath and could feel the cruel and menacing gaze burrowing into him, looking for hidden fears. Truth be told, Remus had never been more scared in his life, but he refused to back down or look away and returned the gaze, hoping he looked equally threatening but knew his eyes lacked the cruelty of the mans.
"I'm afraid you have made a grave mistake crossing me today, Lupin," the man said, in his deep rough voice. "You see, I was just asking my friend here," he gestured to the manager without turning "If he knew the whereabouts of certain, ah, people that I needed to pay a visit to," he glared down at Remus again. The boy felt his blood run cold but still did not back down. If he had snatched a glance of his father at that moment, as the man had done, then he might have noticed that every bit of colour had drained from his face. "Get the drift?"
And with that, the man turned on his heel and stormed out of the shop. Remus hadn't watched the man leave. He didn't want to look at him ever again. He was still staring at the spot where he had stood moments before, staring at the back wall of the store. Slowly, he tore his gaze form the wreckage the man had caused attacking the manager, and looked up at his father. John was looking straight at Matilda, who looked absolutely petrified, but who was penetrating Remus with a horrified stare. Remus ripped his eyes from the sight of his horrified mother and returned to gazing at his father.
"Dad? What's wrong? What did that man mean? Can we go home?"
Still looking at Matilda, who still had her eyes fixed on Remus, he clasped a hand on his sons shoulder and squeezed firmly.
"Sure, Remus. Let's go home."